Colorado Rockies hope Greg Bird can still fly
The Colorado Rockies could certainly use help at first base. Josh Fuentes is currently atop their depth chart at the position, and is hardly a certainty to produce. Ryan McMahon is yet to truly get a chance, and Colton Welker may not be major league ready just yet. The Rockies absolutely need depth at first base.
On Thursday, the Rockies added that needed depth. They signed Greg Bird to a minor league contract, hoping that he can provide something in 2021.
#Rockies have reached a Minor League contract with a Major League Spring invitation with former #Yankees 1B Greg Bird, who didn't appear in the Majors with the #Rangers last year. Bird is a grad of Grandview (Colo.) HS -- was catcher for #SFGiants P Kevin Gausman back then.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) February 11, 2021
Colorado Rockies hope Greg Bird can still fly
There was a time that Bird appeared to be a future star. He exploded on the scene with the Yankees, posting a 135 OPS+ and belting 11 homers over his 178 plate appearances. New York had appeared to have found their long term answer at first.
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However, injuries ruined his career, as he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and to remove bone spurs in his ankle. He has produced a meager .194/.287/.388 batting line in 544 plate appearances since the start of 2017, with 21 homers and 23 doubles. He had signed with the Rangers for 2020, but failed to receive a major league plate appearance.
If Bird is healthy, he could have an opportunity to resurrect his career in Colorado. There is an opening at first, and his once powerful bat could make an impact upon the roster. It is also interesting that the tweet announcing his signing mentioned his time as a catcher in high school – the Rockies do have an opening behind the plate as well.
But that is a conversation for another time. The Rockies first need to see that he is healthy and capable of producing in the majors. Considering his track record over the past few years, that is hardly a given.
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The Colorado Rockies are giving Greg Bird a chance. If he is healthy, he could be their answer at first base.